hey guys, picked up my 03 z a couple months ago, when I drove it the first time I noticed that my oil pressure is extremely low, around 5 psi after it warms up. at first I thought it was normal and used the z to make short trips on the weekends. i'm pretty sure a failing galley gasket is the culprit but for some reason the oil pressure will still increase while steering. it sits at 5 for w.o.t or idling but when I cut the steering wheel all the way either left or right the oil pressure will go to 120 easily. I'm not to familiar with the vq yet and still kinda a newbie with car stuff in general. can any of you guys explain why this happens?

 

Your issue sounds more like a bad sending unit/ sensor for the gauge, because of the sporadic pressures.

When turning the steering wheel, this puts strain on the power steering system, and the rpm will increase to compensate, which correlates to higher oil pressure. However, you will never see that high oil pressure at idle, while simply turning the wheel.

The gallery gaskets can be an issue, but unless you are getting a low oil pressure light when idling, I would start by replacing the oil pressure sending unit.

 

the oil pressure light comes on randomly, it will turn on at idle then turn right off, same at w.o.t, on then right back off.